Pace Energy and Climate Center

19 Feb 2019

Pace Energy and Climate Center 2018 Annual Report

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: Annual Report, Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Solar, Utility,

States: National,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2019

Abstract: The Pace Energy and Climate Center had a great 2018! We filed hundreds of pages of comments, testimony, and recommendations in utility regulatory proceedings, and spoke up and made a difference for clean energy and energy justice in rate cases and grid modernization/utility transformation cases in several states. The year ahead promises to be as exciting and important as the one just completed. Thanks to the continued support and confidence of our government and foundation funders and expert assistance clients, we will be working to secure clean energy.

18 Oct 2018

Supplemental comments about PURPA

Author: Karl Rabago, Radina Valova, SELC, ELPC

Topics: Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Solar, Utility,

States: National,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: Many states and utilities fail to comply with existing PURPA regulations. Is PURPA still relevant and necessary today? Calls to reform PURPA ignore the remaining barriers to market entry that qualifying facilities face and overstate the need for reform.

12 Oct 2018

NESEMC Technical Report

Author: Karl Rabago

Topics: Solar,

States: Northeast,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2018

Abstract: The Northeast Solar Energy Market Coalition was a unique coalition of state-level solar business association organized to bring a regional emphasis to solar market development in the Northeast. The focus of the Coalition’s work was (1) to comprehensively map, monitor, and report solar market conditions and developments in the Northeast through the establishment and updating of a website, nesemc.com; (2) to track and provide support as requested on solar-related projects, demonstrations, and other initiatives in the region; (3) to develop and engage with Coalition members and key solar market stakeholders through an outreach and education program centered on the market development topics of highest priority to members; and (4) to develop t...

11 Sep 2017

Voluntary and Corporate Renewable Energy in New York: Challenges to Maximize Voluntary Benefits and Meeting States Goals

Author: Prepared for Pace by CRS

Topics: DER, Renewables, Solar,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2017

Abstract: Since the adoption of New York's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in 2004, voluntary and compliance markets for renewable energy have been used together to meet state goals and drive in-state development. Today, the New York State Energy Plan (SEP) coordinates the Governor's energy initiative, Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), and the State's Energy Standard (CES). However, it is yet to be determined what proportion of the goals the voluntary market will represent, what requirements will be placed upon it, and whether or not generation serving voluntary buyers will be surplus to regulation. Like the rest of the Northeast, New York residents and businesses buy a large volume of voluntary green power, but New York does not supply much of i...

01 Jan 2017

Renewable Energy as an Economic Driver of Sustainable Development: UN High-Level Political Forum Side Event Report

Author: Richard Ottinger

Topics: DER, Solar,

States: International,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2017

Abstract: Renewable energy and sustainable energy more broadly must be central to efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Energy is often forgotten or glossed over as the basis for almost all modern human activity, seen as seperate from the healthcare, education, IT, construction, sanitation, etc that it enables. Renewable energy has become one of the most promising drivers for sustainable development, offering a way to reduce energy costs for households, and businesses.

15 Dec 2016

Solar Market Pathways

Author: PECC Staff

Topics: Solar,

States: Federal,

Resource Type: Misc

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The Pace Energy and Climate Center is participating in the US Department of Energy's Solar Market Pathways program through the creation of the Northeast Solar Energy Market Coalition (NESEMC). NESEMC brings together solar energy business associations and other stakeholders in the Northeast to harmonize regional solar energy policy and advance the solar energy market. Solar Market Pathways is an effort funded by the US Department of Energy to drive down the cost of solar energy and accelerate deployment in communities across the United States. The program is part of the larger SunShot Initiative, which seeks to make solar cost competitive by 2020. Over the next three years, 14 Solar Market Pathways Awardees will develop strategies that expa...

16 Feb 2016

Primer on Solar Hot Water Technologies in New York State

Author: Karl R. Rábago, Daniel Leonhardt, Perri Hom

Topics: DER, Solar,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: This research report summarizes basic information on solar hot water (SHW) technologies and their use in the state of New York. This report relies upon published secondary sources and direct interviews with experts in the field. This report covers four major topics: specific SHW technologies deployed in New York, major technology configuration, and an analysis on how installations differ, barriers to widespread solar hot water adoption, research, and literature gaps. The Pace Energy and Climate Center thanks Environmental Defense Fund for its support on this report. Special thanks to Rory Christian, director New York Clean Energy and Abbey Brown, Clean energy project Manager.

01 Jan 2016

Retail Rate Impacts of Distributed Solar: Focus on New England

Author: Nick Martin, Karl Rábago

Topics: Climate, Markets, Solar,

States: New England,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2016

Abstract: The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) recently issued a study entitled “Putting the Potential Rate Impacts of Distributed Solar into Context,” authored by Galen Barbose. The LBNL study estimates the potential rate impact of distributed solar on national average retail electricity prices, and importantly, compares that impact to the potential impact of other rate drivers such as natural gas prices, renewable portfolio standards, and utility capital expenditures. This brief applies a similar style analysis as used by LBNL to regional and state level data to estimate more granular impacts for New England. We estimate rate impacts for various penetration rates of net metered distributed solar and compare them to the potential rat...

05 Jul 2014

Innovative Financing for Renewable Energy

Author: Richard Ottinger and John Bowie

Topics: DER, Renewables, Solar,

States: International,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2014

Abstract: Renewable energy holds great promise for solving the world's energy needs with minimal climate change and pollution consequences. Financing most renewable resources is that they have relatively high initial costs for capital equipment and training, followed by very low costs for the remainder of their lifetime as a result of their utilization of free basic resource inputs. Advances in renewable energy technologies, novel financial instruments, and evolving mobile communication technologies, have spurred creative upfront financing for renewable energy infrastructure.

17 Nov 2008

Initial Comments: Proceeding on Motion of the Commission as to the Rates, Charges, Rules, and Regulations of ConEd for electric Service

Author: James M. Van Nostrand

Topics: Solar,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Comments

Adoption Year: 2008

Abstract: Concerns proposed revisions that would increase the target level of photovoltaics and other on-peak resources in high-cost areas.

28 Jun 2006

Quantifying Residential PV Economics in the US: Payback vs Cashflow Determination of Fair Energy Value

Author: Richard Perez, Linda Anne Burtis, Tom Hoff, Sam Swanson, Christy Herig

Topics: Markets, Solar,

States: National,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2006

Abstract: Payback is often used as a measure of profitability by prospective PV owners. Contrasting this measure with another financial gauge -- life-cycle cash flow -- the paper discusses why payback may not be the most appropriate measure for residential PV applications and why it may hide sound financial opportunities for those deciding to invest in a PV system. In parallel, the paper addresses another aspect of economic feasibility: the value of energy produced. For residential applications, this value is currently set at residential net-metered retail rates. We present preliminary evidence that a higher value, reflective of the local effective capacity of PV ought to be claimed for residential PV applications.

01 Mar 2006

Inspector Guidelines for PV Systems

Author: Prepared for Pace by Brooks Engineering

Topics: Solar,

States: National,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2006

Abstract: This report provides some background to the Inspector Guidelines that follow. This work is part of the Renewable Energy Technology Analysis Project of the Pace Law School Energy Project. These guidelines provide a framework for the permitting and inspection of PV systems. These are two separate guidelines since jurisdictions normally treat the process in two steps. First is the plan check stage where the information is reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Second is the field inspection stage where the installation is reviewed for compliance with the approved plans.

26 Apr 2002

Renewable Certificates for Photovoltaics: A Model To Build Upon

Author: Sam Swanson, Janis C. Pepper

Topics: DER, Renewables, Solar,

States: New York,

Resource Type: Report

Adoption Year: 2002

Abstract: There is a growing demand by customers in the marketplace for solar photovoltaic (PV) generated electricity. Consumers want to support PV even though they may not be able to afford to have their own PV system on their roof. By trading PV "certificates" in the wholesale market, aggregators or utilities can offer a certificate-backed retail product to consumers, allowing them to support the use of PV without having to make a large investment. This can occur in the retail market where consumers either have the ability to choose a green energy option offered by a load-serving entity or through a green pricing program offered by a utility company.